#4 Same Direction Cannon from Book of Plum Blossom

#4 Same Direction Cannon from Book of Plum Blossom

In the old days, people believe that Central Cannon was the most powerful opening. Whereby, Same Direction Cannon or Difference Direction Cannon was the most effective opening for Black to respond Red's Central cannon Opening.

During that time, Screen Horse Defense was not well develop yet.
Until year 1700, Xiangqi ancient manual "Book of Plum Blossom" had written and published by Wang Zaiyue. In this book, Wang emphasized that Screen Horse Defense Opening could contend against Central Cannon Opening.After that, Screen Horse Defense Opening was well develop.

The Xiangqi ancient manual "Book of Plum Blossom" also consists Same Direction Cannon variation full game.

One of the full game as shown below.

  1. C2=5  C8=5

Same Direction Cannon Opening.

  2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1=2  R9+1

Both reach Same Direction Cannon Filed Chariot vs Ranked Chariot.

  4. R2+6  R9=4    5. R2=3  R4+6

Bad move. Black should develop his right flank first.

  6. C8+2  R4=2    7. C8=9  H2+1
  8. C9=3  C2+7    9. R3+1  A6+5
 10. R3+2  A5-6   11. C5+4  A4+5
 12. R3-4  …………

Key move. Prepare to R3=6 for checkmate.

 12. …………  K5=4   13. R3=6  C5=4
 14. C3=6  K4+1   15. R6=5  …………

Correct move!

 15. …………  C4=5   16. C5=6

Red double cannons checkmates and wins.